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Natural Treatments for Hypothyroidism
moesaid2
Posts: 67
I'm new to MFP and so far i'm loving the site.
I've had a looming thyroid problem for the past 8 years (my GP began testing my blood then, but never found any need to make a diagnosis). I was diagnosed last year after I gained 25lbs in a month, was VERY tired ALL the time and mildly depressed. Even then, my doctor didn't give me much information, just prescribed lovothyroxine for three months. I took the medication for about a month, but found it difficult because I HATE taking pills and I would forget the instructions (take on an empty stomach, take one pill a day,etc.) So after a month, I quit taking the meds and began researching other remedies. I found that some hypothyroid issues may be due to other things in diet such as lack of iodine. Of course I don't eat salt because of my family history with high blood pressure, so I bought kelp and after taking for about two weeks, I started feeling better, I had more energy and my period came back (my OB/GYN told me that I probably wasn't ovulating because of the lack of thyroid hormone). Well, my body was functioning and I felt great. This of course led me to research other natural rememdies. I'm not interested in taking a pill a day for the rest of my life, especially after reading the stress that some people go through with their thyroiod.
Has anyone had any experience with natural remedies or have seen a specialist who knows about natural treatments? I am scheduled to see a thyroid specialist next month (nodules biopsy), but I do want to explore natural treatments...
I've had a looming thyroid problem for the past 8 years (my GP began testing my blood then, but never found any need to make a diagnosis). I was diagnosed last year after I gained 25lbs in a month, was VERY tired ALL the time and mildly depressed. Even then, my doctor didn't give me much information, just prescribed lovothyroxine for three months. I took the medication for about a month, but found it difficult because I HATE taking pills and I would forget the instructions (take on an empty stomach, take one pill a day,etc.) So after a month, I quit taking the meds and began researching other remedies. I found that some hypothyroid issues may be due to other things in diet such as lack of iodine. Of course I don't eat salt because of my family history with high blood pressure, so I bought kelp and after taking for about two weeks, I started feeling better, I had more energy and my period came back (my OB/GYN told me that I probably wasn't ovulating because of the lack of thyroid hormone). Well, my body was functioning and I felt great. This of course led me to research other natural rememdies. I'm not interested in taking a pill a day for the rest of my life, especially after reading the stress that some people go through with their thyroiod.
Has anyone had any experience with natural remedies or have seen a specialist who knows about natural treatments? I am scheduled to see a thyroid specialist next month (nodules biopsy), but I do want to explore natural treatments...
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Replies
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Hi Moesaid, :flowerforyou: Welcome!
Your situation sounds very much like mine. I went on synthroid for a couple of months, while still investigating other ways to cure it. What I found was virgin coconut oil. It actually helped me so much that I started getting hyperthyroid symptoms while on meds, so the Dr. lowered the dose, then had me stop completely. I am still waiting to go back & test again now. But since stopping the meds I have started taking the iodine drops (VERY CAREFULLY)... and I do think its working. I too don't eat salt (which the dr said I should start)...
yuk
You don't like pills, but taking vitamin D3 & selenium really help also.
Have you read up on all the foods that inhibit the thyroid? Funny thing, I have stopped eating most of them on my own, but some (like peanutbutter :noway: I do love). Also gluten-free, low carb-high protein diets are best for us.
There are several posts in this group talking about this, so it would be good if you could find & read them too.
Blessings,
Debby0 -
I am kind of afraid to try any natural treatments, but I'd love to hear about everyone's experiences that have actually tried them!0
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Hi Debbylee,
I have not tried the virgin coconut oil. My cholesterol was slightly elevated for a while which I found was another symptom of my thyroid issues (according to recent research that has been done), so tropical oils have been out of my diet.
I'm gonna look into taking Vit D and Selenium. I currently don't take any vitamins, but if it helps, I will try it.
I have read that eating raw cruciferous (sp?) veggies and high fiber foods inhibits the absorption of the thyroid replacement hormone in the pills. But, I haven't read anything about avoiding foods if you aren't taking meds. Or am I misinformed? What types of foods am I not supposed to eat....
I love fruits and veggies, beans and legumes. I also love whole grains. I really don't eat too horribly (I've eliminated a lot of fried and refined foods from my diet), but I'm finding that this thyroid issue is gonna take some getting used to if I have to make a lot of changes.
I will say that one of the big issues I had with the meds is that I HAD to take them on an empty stomach and I HAD to not eat certain foods within a certain amount of time that I took the meds. That was WAY TO MUCH for me to try to remember and sometimes I would forget when time I took my meds and I would be eating breakfast already...It was JUST TOO MUCH!!
So, I have to LEARN how to manage this, but I rather do it in a MORE natural way than the hormone replacement....0 -
Hi
I asked my Dr about the Coconut oil, apparently it does not raise the bad cholesterol. Check out on google coconut research center, virgin coconut oil & thyroid. It is surprising what you can learn. Of course your Dr. would be the one to ask though. Mine said it was good, and my cholesterol was also slightly elevated due to the low thyroid. I'm curious how it is now.
Look for Women to women, then go to Thyroid health... good place for info.
Here's an excerpt from one site.
Avoid Goitrogens
Excessive ingestion of certain foods can block iodine from being absorbed by the thyroid gland; these include: turnips, cabbage, mustard, cassava root, pine nuts, millet, peanuts, and soybeans. Until your thyroid health is restored, you may want to avoid these foods completely. When your thyroid is healthy again and you no longer have symptoms, you could include them occasionally, but I recommend that you never eat them daily. The foods to watch out for most are soybean oil in salad dressing, textured vegetable protein used as a filler, and peanut butter.. These products are included in many commercially packaged foods. It is interesting to note that in Asian cultures soy is only eaten in small quantities and in forms that have been fermented.0 -
Hey DebbyLee,
Thanks for the info...I do have coconut oil here at home, but I use it in my lotions Ima look that information up. My cholesterol has gone down from 220 to 185 since last year and I'm working out more so hopefully that will help me to lower my LDL which is about 125 right now.
The only soy based products I've ever eaten was soymilk, but I now drink almond milk.
I'm going to check out the website you suggested....
It's really good to talk to someone who has some of the same issues....it can be so confusing. THANKS!! BTW, great job on the weight loss. I can't wait (weight:happy: ) to get these pounds OFF!!!0 -
Your welcome Moesaid,
Hope things start moving in the right direction for you soon! With going off of the meds, I'm very nervous about the scale... Going to see the naturopath next week, see if I'm doing all I can & if its on the right track to fixing the thyroid. I'll definitely be sharing what she advises!
Thanks,:drinker: I do feel so much better about myself at this size... health-wise its so much better on my body. It was a slow process, but as my husband keeps saying... as long as its moving in the right direction, its all good.
Exercise is now a permanent part of my life... everything else has to wait. Weird, but true now.:noway: 0 -
Regarding Soy check everything you eat for soy. Canned tuna for one contains soy and lots of other things you would not think has soy as a preservative. This thyroid issue is hard to manage and takes time to understand what works and what does not.0
This discussion has been closed.